Roshtein in Japan: Slowing Down in the World’s Fastest City
17 Apr, 2026
- 🏯Tokyo Reset: Roshtein skips the usual gambling, focusing on culture, food, and a slower-paced experience
- 🎯Pachinko Vibes: A love-hate relationship with Japan’s iconic arcade-style gambling
- 🍣Food First: Sushi and udon steal the show, with top-tier fish quality and rich umami flavors
- 🎮Gaming Roots: from NES classics like Mario and Zelda to collecting Pokémon cards
- 🏮Hidden Gem: Kawagoe, “Little Edo,” offers a calm, traditional escape just outside Tokyo
You’d expect a trip to Tokyo from a streamer like Roshtein to involve a bit of chaos, a few risky plays, and maybe a late-night session or two. Instead, this one came with a different goal: step away, reset, and take in Japan without the usual pressure to spin something.
Tokyo doesn’t exactly make it easy to stay completely on the sidelines, especially in a country where gambling exists in its own unique gray zones. But this time around, Roshtein kept things surprisingly controlled, focusing less on bets and more on the experience itself. The result? A trip that traded adrenaline for atmosphere, without losing any of the personality.
Stepping Away From the Spin
Japan isn’t known for traditional casino gaming, and that changes the dynamic right away. One of the few legal forms of betting is horse racing, but even that didn’t pull him in this time.
“I try to stay away from gambling when I travel to reset my mind,” he explained. “But occasionally, of course, it happens that you do relapse.”
That line pretty much sums it up. The intention was clear, and this time, it stuck. Compared to the usual high-energy streams, the trip felt like a deliberate slowdown, less chasing wins, more taking in a city that doesn’t need any extra excitement to stand out.
Pachinko: Love It, Hate It, Still Playing It
Of course, no visit to Japan would be complete without at least acknowledging Pachinko. It’s loud, fast, and completely its own thing. Not quite slots, not quite arcade, but somewhere in between.
Roshtein’s take was as honest as it gets: “I hate and love it. It’s a form of entertainment, but I wish you could steer the balls somehow, haha!”
That frustration is part of the charm. Pachinko looks chaotic, but it runs on its own rhythm, and control is more illusion than reality. For someone used to making decisions mid-spin, it’s probably one of the strangest gaming experiences out there.
Still, that mix of confusion and curiosity is exactly what makes it memorable. You don’t really “master” Pachinko. You just accept the madness and see where it goes.
From Nintendo to Pokémon Cards
Tokyo isn’t just about modern gaming; it’s also a reminder of where a lot of it started. Long before streaming, big wins, and bonus hunts, Roshtein’s connection to gaming had roots in classic Japanese titles.
“Growing up I played a lot of Nintendo NES—Super Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong.”
It’s a familiar story for a lot of players, but it adds a different layer to the trip. Being in the place where those games were created gives everything a bit more weight. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s context.
Then there’s Pokémon cards. A phase that started, stopped, and then came back again later.
“I used to collect Pokémon cards, stopped, and now I’ve picked it up again.”
That kind of full-circle moment fits Tokyo perfectly. It’s a city where old and new constantly overlap, and where something you left behind years ago can suddenly feel relevant again.
The Real Tokyo Experience: Food, Culture, and Calm
If there’s one area where Japan doesn’t disappoint, it’s food. And for Roshtein, it didn’t take long to lock in favorites.
“Sushi and udon noodle soups,” he said. “I’m a big fan of umami. And the fish quality in Japan is just out of this world.”
There’s not much to add to that. Tokyo doesn’t just serve food, it sets a standard. Everything feels intentional, from the ingredients to the presentation, and even simple meals carry a level of quality that’s hard to match elsewhere.
But the biggest impression wasn’t just about taste. It was about how people behave.
“The most shocking cultural difference is how much people prioritize not disturbing others over standing out.”
That contrast hits quickly. In many Western cities, being loud, visible, and expressive is part of everyday life. In Tokyo, the opposite often applies. People move quietly, respect shared spaces, and stay in their lane without being told to.
It creates something rare: a massive city that still feels calm.
“I like both worlds,” he added. And that balance says a lot. Tokyo doesn’t try to compete with Western culture, it just operates differently, and confidently so.
Tokyo Speed, Hidden Gems, and What Europe Is Missing
If there’s one thing Europe could borrow from Japan without hesitation, it’s the trains.
“The bullet trains are insanely convenient,” Roshtein pointed out. “I think it did about 500km in 2.5 hours.”
That kind of speed changes how you experience a country. Distances shrink, plans become flexible, and travel stops feeling like a chore.
Then there are the quieter places, the ones that don’t always make it into the typical tourist loop.
One standout was Kawagoe, often called “Little Edo.” Just a short trip from Tokyo, it offers a completely different atmosphere.
“It feels like old Japan, with historic streets, wooden buildings, and a much calmer, more authentic vibe.”
That contrast is part of what makes the Tokyo area so interesting. One moment you’re surrounded by neon and skyscrapers, and the next you’re walking through something that feels untouched by time.
READ MORE:
If Tokyo Was a Game
We also asked Roshtein to sum up Tokyo as a game.
“Cyberpunk.” was his answer.
Hard to argue with that. The city feels like a living system, bright, fast, and packed with detail. Every street adds something new, but somehow it all works together without tipping into chaos.d over time, where everything has its place, even if it looks overwhelming at first glance.
A Second Visit, A Different Perspective
The biggest difference this time wasn’t what he saw, but how he saw it.
“The first impression was gone, and I could see Japan in more detail.”
Without the initial overload, there’s more room to notice the smaller things. The rhythm of daily life, the way people interact, the details that get lost when everything is new.
There were no wild stories or “craziest moments” this time. But that’s kind of the point. Not every trip needs to be chaotic to be memorable.
